The Niger State House of Assembly has approved a ₦151.7 billion budget for the state’s 25 local government councils, following the adoption of a report by its Standing Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The budget includes ₦96.29 billion for recurrent expenditure and ₦55.43 billion for capital projects.
The Committee, chaired by Hon. (Dr) Bello Bako (Rijau), advised councils to improve revenue generation and address leakages amid challenges posed by insecurity in some areas.
Speaker Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji praised the Committee’s diligence and directed the Clerk to forward the clean bill to the Executive for assent.
In a related move, the Assembly has set up a five-member adhoc committee to investigate a deadly land dispute between Gbangba Dzuka (Gbako LGA) and Gonna (Katcha LGA), which resulted in two deaths on April 15. The motion, raised by Hon. Yahaya Ahmadu (Gbako), warned of potential escalation if urgent action is not taken.
